Secretary-General of the world telecom body, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Dr. Hamadoun Toure has commended Nigeria’s broadband plans.
Toure made his mind known at the just ended ITU’s World 2011
in Geneva at the weekend, which had the world’s richest man, Mr. Carlos Slim, Communications
Technology Minister, Mrs. Omobola Johnson and Executive Vice Chairman of NCC,
Dr. Eugene Juwah, in attendance among other Nigerian dignitaries.
Toure who was responding to the announcement by NCC boss on
the readiness of the country to license new market operators on broadband
platform, said that he was excited that has made several progress in the past.
He noted that with the plans to adopt an open access model
for the deployment of broadband across the country.
Toure pointed out that Nigeria’s performance in the
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector where she led in growth
terms in the continent and in the world for upward of five years.
“Nigeria has always made us proud and has consistently taken
the lead for upwards of five years,” he said, stressing that it is not a joke
to be the leader for five years.
He therefore, commended Nigeria for this achievement while
imploring continuity in the leadership to support the industry for sustained
growth and consistent enabling environment for more investment and sustained
success.
The lunch attended by global leaders in the
telecommunications sector from all parts of the world, including ministers,
investors, operators and regulators.
Welcoming guest earlier, Dr. Juwah said the adoption of the
open access model is to forestall current challenges posed by some operational
issues and the complexities arising from roles of different agencies, including
urban and regional administrative setups which impinge on the right of way of facility
deployments.
“The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has decided to
explore the ‘Open Access Model’ for the effective deployment of a national
fiber network that will ensure an even platform and playing field for the
retail service providers and enhance the achievement of the nation’s e-economy
goals,” he said, submitting that this model is a framework for infrastructure
sharing.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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